How did Niccolo Machiavelli’s ideas contribute to Enlightenment thinking?

Machiavelli analyzed people and political power in practical, secular terms rather than explaining human behavior through religion. This approach helped inspire Enlightenment thinkers to study human nature using reason and observation. Choice C, “He examined human nature outside of religion,” best captures that contribution; he did not define natural rights or directly argue for separating church and state.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.